Can you identify this particular helicon bass?

[Dave Detwiler]

Hi all - I am researching John W. "Jack" Richardson, and have discovered that in 1897 he moved to Newark, NY (not NJ!), where he worked as a cigar maker and played in a band made up of cigar makers.

I've been able to locate a photo of that very band, from that very year, showing the 6 foot 6 inch tall Richardson in the middle of the back row, but I can't for the life of me identify the helicon he is holding (shown below). By his own account, he switched to a BBb instrument while in Newark, so I assume it is a BBb helicon. But made by whom?

Do any of you recognize this particular make and model? Respond below - thanks so much!

1897 Newark Band - helicon.png (104.13 KiB) Viewed 10479 times

[Ace]

Just a wild guess------Slavic made, Cerveny?

Ace

[matt g]

It’s piston valves, so I’d suspect USA made first.

My lacking confidence statement is that it’s Conn or King copying the slide layouts from European made horns like the my did for Helleberg.

[edfirth]

There is one very similar to the one in the picture here in town. I think it's a Keefer. That's all I got. Best Ed

[Dents Be Gone!]

I agree, guys. This is the way to go.

[humBell]

My guess is Boston?

Based on the two upward slides and valve orientation, but i am still somewhat puzzles by the main tuning slide/leadpipe layout which is not entirely clear in the picture.

Perhaps when i have a longer moment to look... both at it and others for comparison.

[bloke]

Does anyone else see the resemblance?

BC.png (128.39 KiB) Viewed 10431 times

[matt g]

Here’s a link to photos of a Keefer Eb Helicon:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/ ... sp=sharing

This is listed for sale on the other tuba forum.

A Keefer Bb that was for sale:

[donn]

My guess is Boston?

Could be! Here's one from the Klaus collection (yorkmaster.org)

[Dents Be Gone!]

I agree, guys. This is the way to go.

[Dave Detwiler]

My guess is Boston?

Could be! Here's one from the Klaus collection (yorkmaster.org)

Okay, so what are the details on this photograph? I couldn't find it in that vast collection! But the valve cluster looks about right. Is this a Diston, or Keefer, or what?

[donn]

It's unusually well documented, in this text image:

The item is 1907 Boston Musical Instrument Company BBb helicon 3P

[humBell]

Seems a pretty close match to me. Thanks @donn for tracking it down.

Differences i note is bell brace, and no MTS loop, and i canmt seem to figure out what the player has his pinky one.

I assume bell brace implies a larger bell, so the body might be different too somehow.

Anyway, i'm just glad i wasn't imagining similarities..

[Ace]

It’s piston valves, so I’d suspect USA made first.

My lacking confidence statement is that it’s Conn or King copying the slide layouts from European made horns like the my did for Helleberg.

I think you are correct.

Ace

[Dave Detwiler]

It's unusually well documented, in this text image:

The item is 1907 Boston Musical Instrument Company BBb helicon 3P

Okay, so with a little more research, it appears that the Boston Musical Instrument Company was called the Boston Musical Instrument Manufactory up until 1902, or possibly 1903, which means that the helicon played by Richardson in 1897 would have been built by the Boston Musical Instrument Manufactory.

The only catalogue that I have been able to find online is from 1869, which is before that instrument maker was making helicons.

And upon closer examination of the photo in the yorkmaster.org collection, you can see where the bell brace was originally in place, which matches what we see in the Richardson photo. And everything else in the valve cluster does seem to pretty much line up - although neither photo is very clear.

Thanks to everyone above for your help!